MIT researchers Bill Aulet and Paul Cheek call it the execution gap: “There is a wide chasm between a brilliant business plan and successfully taking that plan to market.” Their research shows that most businesses fail not because of bad ideas, but because they struggle to execute. Aulet developed a 24-step framework that helps companies that follow it succeed at higher rates. His insight holds up. Execution drives entrepreneurial success, not chance.

After working with thousands of entrepreneurs through CO.STARTERS and FINSYNC, we’ve seen the real problem. Entrepreneurs have grand plans, but don’t know how to execute big ideas.

We Built a Pipeline When We Needed an Ecosystem

Most support ecosystems still operate like pipelines. An entrepreneur completes an accelerator program, graduates, and is expected to figure out operations on their own. They search for tools. Try to build a track record. Apply for funding. Find a mentor along the way. This approach is easy to measure, but difficult to live within.

Entrepreneurs often leave programs with a solid plan and a clear sense of what should happen next. Then they stall. Not because they lack motivation or intelligence, but because there is no structure to help them execute. No consistent way to track revenue. No clear financial picture. No coordinated support. And the most important question remains unanswered: are we actually making money, or just staying busy?

Confused and overwhelmed, many give up. 

Meanwhile, entrepreneur support organizations are doing their best with the limited resources they have. Most are running programs with skeleton crews. They connect entrepreneurs to bankers, lenders, mentors, and coaches. But there’s no mechanism to see if those connections help. Referrals disappear. No visibility or tracking. Just hope and a prayer that the founder gets the support they need to grow and scale.

And here’s the deeper structural problem: Aulet’s framework shows that execution requires six concurrent activities: identifying customers, building value propositions, acquiring customers, making money, designing products, and scaling. These happen together, simultaneously.

Let’s Ask a Different Question

What if we stopped leading with questions like “What’s your business model?” or “What’s your business plan?” and asked something simpler:

“What’s your goal for the next 90 days?”

Not a framework. Not a five-year vision. Just one concrete outcome that would move the business forward in the next three months.

This simple shift makes Aulet’s framework immediately tactical. Haven’t identified your customers yet? How will you identify them in 90 days? Building a value proposition? What will you test in 90 days? Not making money? What’s your plan to generate revenue in 90 days?

Suddenly, execution becomes concrete, manageable, and supportable by the ecosystem around them.

When support aligns around 90-day goals, entrepreneurs need three things working together:

• Market Validation: Testing assumptions with real customers to confirm there is demand for what they are building.
• Financial Discipline: Tracking revenue, costs, and cash flow from the start, not later when things feel more “official.”
• Growth Support: Access to funding conversations and mentorship together, rather than one after the other.

These three pillars work together, just as MIT intended. But they are only effective if the ecosystem is attuned to the entrepreneur’s real needs.

Sounds easier said than done, right? You are a leader of a community group. You invite ten bankers to join you in your program’s opening. Two show up. One stays 20 minutes. None of them follow up with your entrepreneurs afterward.

Who was the accountant you invited? Too busy. The excited mentor? Ghosted after the first meeting. Who’s putting off reviews? Every referral you make is “not ready yet.”

Goodwill is rarely the problem. Bankers strive to avoid referrals in measure and are cautious of repeat unqualified leads. Before they commit to an investment, accountants must see a legitimate business. Mentors are often volunteers in addition to full-time jobs.

The ecosystem partners that you need are willing to help. They get overwhelmed, misaligned with incentives, and have to deal with indigent entrepreneurs without any guidance on when and how to provide support.

Make It a Partnership, Not a Charity

Connecting with a large group of people at once doesn’t work; connecting people at the best time to accomplish specific goals, like getting funded or getting validation for your product idea, works!

First, develop relationships. Start small: Pick one Banker you know and simply say, “I have 3 entrepreneurs in Phase 2 that are in need of what you described last month; would you allow me to connect you with them?” Be specific and add value to your request!

The next step is to build one good Mentor relationship at a time. You do NOT need 15 mentors on day one; you just need 2 solid mentors who will show up. One involved Banker for funding conversations and one Accountant who will conduct quarterly workshops for your entrepreneurs. Have tools in place that assist them in building an infrastructure.

The final step is to focus on 5 Ecosystem Players that you can intentionally connect with around the milestones of your entrepreneurs. This will give you the ability to build out your ecosystem with a small team and be much more effective than spraying and praying for invitations!

When you connect with these Ecosystem Partners, use their language. For Yourself: Don’t say, “We need you to support our entrepreneurs.” Instead, say to Bankers: “We are positioning businesses to be bank-ready in 180 days rather than in 2 years, with clean books and proven revenue before they meet with you!”

Here’s what that coordination looks like in practice across three phases:

• Days 1-90 (Market Validation): Community orgs lead with business model canvas and peer cohorts. Mentors challenge assumptions and refine value propositions.
• Days 91-180 (Financial Discipline): Community orgs check progress and maintain accountability. Mentors review how assumptions match reality. Accountants are available to help with proper categorization and clean books. Bankers begin relationship-building and explain requirements. Financial tools track actual performance.
• Days 181-270 (Growth): Community orgs celebrate wins and connect to expansion resources. Mentors become critical for accountability and growth decisions. Accountants ensure bank-ready books. Lenders review applications based on real data. Tools provide proof of operational health.

Everyone understands when to engage and why. The work feels coordinated instead of chaotic.

Where to Start When You’re Stretched Thin

If you’re running a community organization with limited resources, you don’t need to overhaul everything.

Start with your next cohort. At kickoff, ask every entrepreneur: “What’s your goal for the next 90 days?” Don’t reorganize your program yet. Just shift that one framing question.

Next, map what you already have. Who’s your go-to banker? Which mentor always shows up? What accountant do you trust? Write their names down and assign them to the three phases. This exercise quickly reveals where your ecosystem is strong and where support breaks down.

Keep reporting the metrics your funders want, such as the number of businesses started and jobs created. Internally, begin tracking a small set of milestone outcomes tied to those 90-day goals. For example: “Entrepreneurs identified target customers” or “Generated first revenue.” When you report back, showing both completion and progress creates a clearer picture of execution.

Build a simple feedback loop between phases. After Phase 1, ask a short set of questions: Did you hit your 90-day goal? What support would help next? This does not require new systems. A basic Google form is enough.

The goal is not to add more work. It is to focus existing effort around what entrepreneurs actually need at that point in time.

Be realistic about your ecosystem. If your community lacks engaged bankers or available mentors, look beyond local defaults. Regional CDFIs, online accounting firms, virtual mentor networks like SCORE, and regional economic development organizations can fill gaps. The ecosystem does not need to be perfect. It needs to be coordinated.

What We’re Still Learning

After working with hundreds of entrepreneurs through CO.STARTERS and FINSYNC, we know connectivity is the hardest part. Traditional CRMs track activities but not outcomes. Spreadsheets get outdated. Email chains create chaos.

To keep everyone aligned and visible throughout the entrepreneur’s journey, we have built a simple framework to help. While we’re solving the big infrastructure challenge, there are concrete steps that work right now. We’ve built some of those into tools you can use today.

In our next article, we’ll explore where connections break in most support ecosystems, the technology and process challenges, what’s working, what isn’t, and what we think needs to exist that doesn’t yet.

Take the Next Step

We’ve created a free 90-day planning template you can use with entrepreneurs starting today. It walks through goal-setting and maps the ecosystem partners they need at each phase. Download the Template

CO.STARTERS and FINSYNC are working together to bridge the execution gap with curriculum, tools, and ecosystem connectivity. If you want to explore how this might work for your organization, or just talk through challenges you’re facing. Schedule a Conversation

That is why we created a short, four-question assessment.

Once you identify the core issue, everything becomes easier to manage.

Here is the truth most people never say out loud.

Most small business owners do not actually know what they need until they finally get the help they have been missing.

It sounds simple, but it shows up everywhere.

Owners often spend months trying to organize their books or chase funding, only to discover one small issue was holding everything up. They usually do not need a full overhaul, just clarity on what actually needs attention.

A Quick Way To See What’s Really Holding You Back

You do not need a long consultation or a complicated plan to get clarity. You just need a quick way to identify your core problem before everything spirals. When you are too close to the work, it is easy to miss the real cause.

That is why we created a short, four-question assessment.
It helps you answer the most important question:
What is the biggest financial or operational challenge slowing your business down right now?

Answering this will help you stop guessing and start seeing a clear path.

Why This Works

Owners often come to a financial platform thinking they only need one thing. Maybe funding. Maybe bookkeeping. Maybe payroll. But more often than not, the real problem is different from the one they expected.

This assessment helps you understand what is happening beneath the surface.
It shows where your time is getting drained.
It shows why things feel harder than they should.
And it does so without requiring hours of your time.

Starting a business has always taken courage. Entrepreneurs leave stable jobs, risk savings, and put their hopes into something they believe will make life better. For years, too many of those dreams fell apart for reasons that had nothing to do with talent or effort. Disconnected tools, unclear financial data, and a system that often said “no” left business owners without the support they needed when it mattered most.

At one point, the SBA once reported that 82% of small businesses failed due to poor cash flow management or lack of access to affordable capital. Four out of five dreams were ending, not for lack of effort, but because the system was broken.

For anyone who cares about entrepreneurs, that number was heartbreaking. Watching good ideas stall and families lose stability revealed a deeper truth: the problem was not the people. The problem was the structure around them.

Why We Started

FINSYNC began because we wanted to change that story. We have always believed in entrepreneurs. They are the people who bring life to local communities, create jobs, and carry ideas forward with a kind of grit that inspires everyone around them. In 2011, we looked at what business owners were facing and knew there had to be a better way.

We saw hardworking people trying to make decisions without clear cash flow insights. New business owners were being turned away by banks that wanted to help but couldn’t under traditional rules. Families were carrying stress they shouldn’t have had to carry. 

Our mission became simple: fix the system that supports entrepreneurs. 

We set out to build something that makes it easier for entrepreneurs to manage money, access funding, and build long-term success without feeling alone. When entrepreneurs succeed — and in less time — families thrive, businesses grow stronger, and communities become brighter places for everyone.

That’s why we built FINSYNC and why we invite you to be part of what’s next.

Our Approach

Solving the problem required more than creating another piece of software. It required a connected network. At the center is the FINSYNC Business Platform that connects your banking, payments, cash flow, payroll, and accounting on one easy-to-use platform, powered by Fynn, your AI Assistant. Instead of logging into multiple tools that don’t talk to each other, entrepreneurs get a single, connected view of their finances.

Then we connect businesses with the right partners to fuel their success. With Funding Navigator, entrepreneurs can be matched to the right relationship banker or lending partner — not just the closest one. Fynn helps you turn complex financial data into clear next steps, so you know when you are ready for capital investments, while our Funding Concierge and partner network help owners navigate options with confidence.

The key was partnership. Instead of competing with banks, we built bridges and invited them into the network. Today, FINSYNC is backed by a nationwide, collaborative network of more than 1,500 financial partners, such as banks, credit unions, lenders, investors, accountants, and community organizations, working together to support entrepreneurs.

What Has Changed for Entrepreneurs

The difference is striking. Since we began, less than a fraction of 1% of our customers have ever reported challenges managing cash flow or accessing capital. When business owners can track their financial health, connect with the right partners, and make informed decisions, everything changes. Their confidence grows. Their families feel more secure. Their businesses begin to move from surviving to growing.

As your operations improve, your FINSYNC Score rises, a new way of unlocking access to better funding options, stronger relationships, and a clearer path to financial confidence, faster than ever before. Owners move from guessing to planning, from scrambling to feeling prepared, and from simply surviving to building something that lasts.

A better financial system does more than help one company at a time. It lifts the communities around them, employees, families, and neighborhoods that benefit when businesses grow stronger together.

The Power of a Connected Network

There are more than 9,000 banks and credit unions across the country, and most of them operate independently. FINSYNC helps unite them so they can work together to support business owners. 

A banker who cannot fund a startup today can now connect that same owner to someone in the FINSYNC Network who can. A growing business can access tools that help it plan ahead. A scaling business can reach new funding opportunities and deeper relationships with financial partners who understand its goals.

FINSYNC and Fynn bring people, information, and decisions into one connected experience. That’s how the FINSYNC Flywheel turns operational efficiency into lasting growth: by connecting everything and everyone and keeping them working in sync.

The Invitation

We believe in a better way forward for entrepreneurs, and we believe no one should have to build alone. 

Whether you are starting a new business, growing an existing one, or supporting owners in your community, there is a place for you in the FINSYNC Network. Together, we’re building the future of connected finance.

Start now. Grow stronger. Succeed together. That is the heart and power behind FINSYNC!

About FINSYNC

FINSYNC helps entrepreneurs and small business owners simplify operations and secure affordable funding through one connected platform. Powered by Fynn, your AI Assistant, FINSYNC brings banking, payments, cash flow, payroll, and accounting together and connects business owners with a nationwide collaborative network of relationship bankers and more than 1,500 financial partners. As operations improve, the FINSYNC Score unlocks better funding and stronger relationships automatically. That’s the power of FINSYNC, everything and everyone connected and working in sync to grow stronger together. 

Four entrepreneurs. One stage. $40,000 in prizes. On October 23, LaunchCon will bring the Chattahoochee Valley together to celebrate innovation and give founders the chance to turn bold ideas into thriving businesses.

Created by Startup Columbus, the event features a shark-tank style pitch competition with a $20,000 grant for the winner. Each founder will have one chance to prove their vision can become reality.

FINSYNC is proud to help present this milestone event and stand alongside founders with the tools, resources, and partnerships they need to succeed long after the competition ends.

What It Takes to Win

One of the judges, Jason Whitney, Executive Director of Financial Networks at FINSYNC, has spent years helping entrepreneurs move from idea to execution. He knows what separates a good pitch from a winning one.

“It isn’t always just the strongest business idea that wins in these situations, but the founder who is able to articulate a clear path to success, instilling confidence in the judges in their ability to execute on a plan.”

That perspective is why FINSYNC was eager to support every semi-finalist in the weeks leading up to LaunchCon. The team provided hands-on programming and offered each founder a trial membership to the FINSYNC platform and Funding Navigator, helping them build the financial foundation essential for their success. Just as important, the FINSYNC Financial Network provides entrepreneurs with an ongoing connection to investors and lenders. It extends the opportunities they experienced at LaunchCon into lasting investor relationships for growth.

As he explained, FINSYNC equips founders not just with tools, but with timely connections:

“FINSYNC helps founders set a solid financial plan and provides them with access to an ever-growing network of supporting organizations. It is about connecting with partners at the right time to maximize every opportunity.”

This preparation sets the stage for what LaunchCon is truly about.

More Than a Pitch

LaunchCon is more than a single night of competition. It is a celebration of the entrepreneurs driving growth across the Chattahoochee Valley. The event allows founders to showcase their ideas, gain visibility, and connect with supporters who can help them take the next step.

For FINSYNC, being part of LaunchCon means standing alongside Startup Columbus, community leaders, and investment partners who share the same vision: helping small businesses simplify their planning, funding, and growth. That includes our Financial Network partner Homegrown, which continues to champion entrepreneurs in the region. Together, we are proud to support a stronger ecosystem that enables founders to thrive.

Event Details

LaunchCon 2025
Columbus Convention & Trade Center
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Attire: Business Casual

Conference (Ticketed): 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Pitch Competition (Free and Open to the Public): 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Four finalists. Five judges. $40,000 in prizes. One chance to launch a dream.

Join us at LaunchCon 2025 and witness bold ideas that become real businesses. FINSYNC is honored to support entrepreneurs with the vision, tools, and partnerships they need to succeed.

About FINSYNC

FINSYNC simplifies how businesses fund and run their operations in one place. With tools to plan, operate, and grow — and a financial network of investors, lenders, and partners — FINSYNC helps entrepreneurs connect with the right opportunities and move forward with confidence.

Startups are built in motion. Founders must constantly respond to shifting tech, changing customer expectations, and pressure to accomplish more with fewer resources. For many, too much time is spent on behind-the-scenes work, such as chasing invoices, managing spreadsheets, and trying to make sense of fragmented financial data. 

Succeeding in today’s environment means working smarter. It means having clear visibility into your finances, understanding your customers, and utilizing tools that automate routine tasks so you can focus on what matters most. And now, with the rapid growth of AI, entrepreneurs must keep pace with new technology while also understanding how these tools are evolving and how the market expects to utilize them. 

AI’s Two Sides

Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries. While large corporations use it to scale faster, small businesses face both an opportunity and a challenge. Many entrepreneurs worry about falling behind if they don’t adopt AI quickly. But the real value isn’t just in surface-level tools like chatbots or ad automation. It stems from using AI to enhance the core of the business, encompassing financial management, forecasting, customer insights, and operational support that fosters long-term growth. 

Recent data underscores this trend: a study from Service Direct reveals that 77% of small businesses have adopted AI in some capacity, indicating a significant shift toward AI integration. This momentum is being matched by platforms that help entrepreneurs automate financial workflows, create tailored business plans, and access personalized support faster than ever. Amid this trend towards AI integration, small businesses are exploring hyperautomation software to streamline operations and increase productivity.

Entrepreneurs paying attention are leaning into this shift. They’re not chasing trends. They’re using AI to build stronger foundations that support faster growth and smarter decision-making. 

The Real Risk: Mismanaging Your Money

A primary cause of startup failure isn’t flawed concepts or ineffective marketing; it’s often the mismanagement of cash flow. Founders frequently misjudge the timeline to profitability or the increasing intricacy of their finances as their team expands. Despite available tools, 46% of small businesses lack consistent accounting support, leading to costly errors. 

Technology is bridging this gap with accessible, powerful financial platforms. These offer real-time insights, identifying bottlenecks, automating payroll, tracking invoices, and forecasting finances, insights that were previously unaffordable for many. 

Critically, these tools are becoming more accessible. According to Hai Production’s 2025 AI Index, the cost of running AI systems at GPT-3.5 levels has dropped by over 280 times since late 2022. While hardware costs have declined 30% annually, energy efficiency has improved by 40% each year. 

The Unseen Engines of Change

A new wave of platforms is changing how early-stage businesses operate behind the scenes. These tools aren’t here to replace founders. They are built to handle the critical, time-consuming work that once required full teams or outside consultants. 

Platforms are emerging to simplify financial complexity. By combining cash flow tools, banking integration, forecasting, invoicing, payroll, and access to capital, these systems help business owners stay organized and better prepared for growth. Some also connect entrepreneurs with technical assistance providers and community lenders to improve access to funding. 

Strong financial reporting is often the missing link when it comes to securing capital, whether through loans or investment. FINSYNC’s integrated tools, including AI-powered support through its assistant “Fynn,” help business owners better understand their financial position and present it clearly to potential lenders or investors. By simplifying financial complexity, these tools increase confidence, reduce costly errors, and help startups become more funding-ready. 

A Smarter Foundation for the Future

While entrepreneurial ventures inherently carry risk, the most enduring startups of 2025 will distinguish themselves not solely through groundbreaking concepts but through the intelligent and adaptable frameworks underpinning those ideas. “Resilience is about overcoming the unexpected. Sustainability is about survival. The goal is to thrive.” Jamais Cascio 

AI is not a cure-all for every challenge. However, the platforms that push past the hype are demonstrating that when AI is integrated into a business’s financial foundation, it creates clarity, confidence, and genuine momentum. This shift toward intelligent foundations enables proactive planning and informed decision-making, ultimately fostering a more robust and future-proof business. 

Ready to put AI to work for your business?

Start with the foundation. FINSYNC helps you manage cash flow, simplify operations, and connect to capital – all in one platform built for growth.

About FINSYNC

FINSYNC simplifies how businesses fund and run their operations in one place. With tools to plan, operate, and grow — and a financial network of investors, lenders, and partners — FINSYNC helps entrepreneurs connect with the right opportunities and move forward with confidence.

Every hour you spend chasing incomplete SBA applications slows your team down. Imagine having a way to consistently attract qualified, SBA-ready borrowers with complete documentation and credible financials from the start.

That’s exactly what this upcoming webinar will show you.

Unlock SBA Lending Success: Qualify Better Leads and Close More Loans

• July 30 at 1 PM EST
• Designed for: SBA Lenders, Portfolio Managers, Loan Officers, and Business Development Teams
  
  Register now

Meet Your Presenters

Luke Thomas, Director of Partner & Customer Development at FINSYNC, brings hands-on experience helping SBA lenders streamline their pipeline and improve approval rates across partner institutions.

Catlin Bulger, Senior Associate on the Financial Networks team, works directly with entrepreneurs and lenders to ensure SBA loan applications are complete, qualified, and ready to fund.

Carrie Kosac, President of BDC, will share insights into borrower behaviors and how SBA-ready applications look through the lender’s lens.

Together, they will walk through proven strategies to help your team qualify leads more effectively and convert more loans with less administrative burden.

What You’ll Learn

1. Filter for the Right Leads
   See how FINSYNC qualifies applicants before they ever reach your inbox so you spend less time sorting and more time lending.
2. Streamline Document Collection
   No more chasing files across emails. FINSYNC helps applicants submit complete packages with the right documentation upfront.
3. Get Reliable Financial Projections
   Built-in tools guide entrepreneurs to create lender-friendly financials that are easy to review and consistent across the board.
4. Close Loans Faster
   With complete and organized submissions, you can move quickly from review to approval and boost your origination rate.
5. Smart Matching by Region and Need
   FINSYNC connects you to businesses that align with your target market, industry preferences, and funding scope.

Why Attend

If your team is handling a high volume of underqualified leads or spending hours on administrative reviews, this session will help you shift to a smarter, more efficient pipeline to save you time.

You’ll walk away with:

• Practical strategies to improve lead quality
• Tools to save time and reduce back-and-forth
• A clearer path to faster closings

Interactive Format and On-Demand Access

This isn’t just a presentation. It’s a live conversation with the FINSYNC financial network team. Bring your questions and get real-time guidance from experts who understand your challenges.

Can’t attend live?
Everyone who registers will receive on-demand access, plus helpful checklists and templates you can use right away.

Reserve Your Spot

Seats are limited. Join us on July 30 at 1 PM EST to discover how you can:

• Improve SBA lead quality
• Reduce administrative friction
• Close more loans with confidence

Save your seat now

Entrepreneurs thrive in the community. And those who help build that community deserve to be celebrated. The Partner Badge Program is a new way to recognize the people and organizations who empower entrepreneurs to move forward faster, including mentors, facilitators, sponsors, and local programs.

Whether you are guiding entrepreneurs through a Business Canvas, running a local accelerator, or connecting founders with capital, your impact matters. The badge is a reflection of your role in helping entrepreneurs thrive and a way to inspire the next wave of leaders to do the same.

What Are Partner Badges?

Badges recognize your unique contributions to the connected entrepreneur ecosystem, whether you’re a local program, facilitator, investor, or business coach. It’s a symbol that says: I’m part of a thriving, supportive network that turns ideas into action and action into success.

Your badge can live in multiple places, whether it is your email signature, website, or LinkedIn profile. It’s a simple way to say, “I’m making a difference.”

How It Works

Once you are enrolled, we will send a badge that reflects your unique role, whether you’re a community partner, investor, facilitator, or sponsor. As you continue to support entrepreneurs and reach new milestones, your badge grows with you.

Think of it as more than a badge; it is a celebration of your journey and a beacon to inspire others.

Why It Matters

Here’s what makes the Partner Badge Program special:

• Showcase your impact and attract more opportunities

• Strengthen local connections and spark new collaborations

• Celebrate progress and inspire others to join the mission

Designed for Entrepreneurial Allies

The beauty of the Partner Badge Program is its inclusivity. It is for everyone committed to building thriving entrepreneurial communities. Here’s how different champions can benefit:

• Community Organizations: Represent your organization’s pivotal role in local development. Imagine someone seeing your badge on LinkedIn and realizing, This is the organization that can help me.

• Facilitators: Let your badge spark meaningful conversations. Someone notices it in your email signature and reaches out, and you share how you help entrepreneurs succeed.

• Investors and Sponsors: Highlight your role in creating opportunities and igniting change. The badge shows that you are not just invested in businesses. You are invested in people.

Ready to Celebrate?

Your badge is recognition, and it’s also an invitation. It tells the world you are part of something bigger. A community that believes in turning bold ideas into thriving businesses. Celebrate your impact and spark new inspiration for others to follow.

Your badge awaits. Let’s share your story.

Fynn Moves Your Business Forward Faster 

Meet Fynn, your AI assistant, built to simplify business planning, funding, operations, and growth. With a fully connected Business Platform and Financial Network, Fynn helps you turn ideas into action, secure funding, streamline operations, and accelerate success.

From business planning to seamless execution and smarter financial connections, Fynn keeps everything and everyone in sync—so you can focus on what truly matters, in business and in life. 

Starting a business is an exhilarating journey, but for many entrepreneurs, it’s also overwhelming. One of the biggest hurdles? Business planning. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, over 50% of small businesses fail within five years, often due to poor planning and financial mismanagement. A well-structured business plan is necessary, yet most entrepreneurs struggle to create one.

In fact, a survey reported by Wells Fargo found that only 33% of small business owners have a formal business plan, citing time constraints, complexity, and lack of resources as the primary reasons. Yet, research consistently shows that businesses with a plan are 30% more likely to grow.

The challenge is clear: entrepreneurs need a faster, more intuitive way to plan, strategize, and scale. Traditional methods, which include endless spreadsheets, static business plan templates, and generic online guides, are not cutting it. This is where AI-driven solutions are stepping in, revolutionizing the way businesses get off the ground.

AI Solution: Smarter, Faster, and More Effective Planning

Platforms like AI Canvas and interactive AI assistants are drastically reducing the time and effort required to build a business plan. What once took weeks, refining a strategy, conducting market research, and crafting financial projections now takes days.

One tool leading this shift is Fynn, an AI assistant designed to help entrepreneurs craft business plans with clarity and confidence. Over the course of a 10-week online business development program, entrepreneurs worked with Fynn, alongside human mentors, combining cutting-edge technology with real-world expertise. 

The result? Business owners save up to two weeks of time while producing more polished, actionable strategies.

The following case studies highlight how three entrepreneurs from different industries leveraged AI to fast-track their success.

Shakhan Kelly: Transforming a Passion for Photography into a Business

Shakhan Kelly had the vision. A professional photographer with a background in civil engineering, she knew she wanted to turn her artistic talents into a full-time business. But she felt stuck when it came to structuring a solid plan.

Her biggest challenge was defining her unique value proposition in a crowded market. Many businesses struggle to find high-quality, personalized photography that truly represents their brand, and without a business plan, she risked blending into the sea of competitors.

Using AI business tools, Shakhan mapped out her market positioning and refined her service offerings. AI-assisted prompts guided her through identifying her target audience, setting competitive pricing, and crafting a strategy emphasizing her sports and corporate photography expertise.

“The tools make it so much easier to focus on what truly matters, delivering quality work to my clients and spending time with my family,” stated Shakhan. What would have taken weeks of back-and-forth planning was condensed into days, saving her two weeks of effort. With a structured plan in place, Shakhan felt more confident in her business decisions and empowered to scale her services.

Alisha Kowalski: Taking a Local Coaching Business Global

As a life and happiness coach, Alisha Kowalski has spent 15 years helping clients improve their lives through mindset shifts and emotional wellness practices. However, she struggled to scale beyond in-person coaching sessions. She had long dreamed of writing a workbook on emotional inventory journaling but lacked the structure and accountability to complete it. Additionally, she wasn’t sure how to expand her coaching practice beyond local workshops.

AI changed everything. Through an AI-powered business planning platform, Alisha was able to turn her idea into a tangible product. “The AI Canvas showed me how I could distribute the workbook and make it a revenue stream, all with minimal cost.” 

Also, with AI’s guidance, she expanded her reach by launching virtual coaching programs, opening up new revenue streams, and refining her pricing strategy to ensure her services were scalable.

By streamlining the planning process, AI cut her timeline by at least two weeks, allowing her to bring her workbook and coaching expansion to market faster. With a clear roadmap, Alisha could focus her time and energy on what mattered most: her clients and growing business.

Kimberly Sales: From Family Tradition to Scalable Success

Kimberly Sales didn’t set out to start a business; she simply loved baking. For years, her signature lemon pound cake, a treasured family recipe, was a staple at gatherings, bringing back cherished memories of her late mother. Friends and family constantly requested her cakes, and over time, she realized her passion had real market potential.

The challenge was figuring out how to turn that idea into a viable business. Kimberly had no idea how to price her products, where to sell them, or how to scale beyond word-of-mouth orders. Financial planning, cost analysis, and market positioning felt like overwhelming obstacles.

AI changed her approach completely. 

With the proper guidance, Kimberly built a structured business plan that helped her correctly price her cakes for profitability and explore new sales channels. “Fynn helped me think outside the box. It suggested ideas like selling at farmers’ markets and corporate events. For the first time ever, I realized this could be bigger than I thought it could be.”

What could have taken weeks of research and trial-and-error was condensed into days. AI provided instant financial models and market insights. Kimberly expanded her business vision, moving beyond local orders toward a more scalable operation. Most importantly, AI’s insights helped her set sustainable pricing and revenue goals, making profitability a reality rather than a guessing game.

An Industry-Wide Shift: The Future of AI in Business Planning

Shakhan, Alisha, and Kimberly aren’t outliers. They are the new face of entrepreneurship. Their stories highlight a broader industry trend, one where AI is not replacing human expertise but enhancing it, helping entrepreneurs make smarter, faster decisions.

While AI business tools provide immediate, intelligent insights, human mentors and business development programs remain crucial. That’s why programs like FINSYNC CO.STARTERS combine AI tools with a structured 10-week mentorship program, ensuring that business owners receive cutting-edge technology and community-driven support.

At a time when the majority of small businesses still operate without a business plan, AI-driven platforms are leveling the playing field, making professional business planning accessible, affordable, and achievable. 

Whether launching a passion project, scaling an existing business, or pivoting into new markets, AI tools like Fynn are the ultimate co-pilot for modern business success.

Fynn Moves Your Business Forward Faster 

Meet Fynn, your AI assistant, built to simplify business planning, funding, operations, and growth. With a fully connected Business Platform and Financial Network, Fynn helps you turn ideas into action, secure funding, streamline operations, and accelerate success.

From business planning to seamless execution and smarter financial connections, Fynn keeps everything and everyone in sync—so you can focus on what truly matters, in business and in life. 

The Journey from Concept to Company

Starting a business is a dream for many, but the path from an idea to a successful company is often filled with challenges. Countless aspiring entrepreneurs have stumbled upon a great idea, only to be thwarted by the challenge of transforming it into a viable business. It is a challenge that requires vision, a clear roadmap, and access to resources to help bring that idea to life.

Starting with just an idea, FINSYNC equips entrepreneurs with everything they need to bring their vision to life. From Starter Tools and AI Assistant Fynn to local resources and financial management solutions, the platform transforms business dreams into financial success.

Navigating the Challenges of Starting a Business

Entrepreneurship is often fraught with obstacles, but FINSYNC simplifies the journey. Research shows that early-stage entrepreneurs often lack access to crucial networks and expert advice, which can decide whether a business idea succeeds or fails. For entrepreneurs with an idea, Fynn helps craft a detailed business plan using the CO.STARTERS Canvas, tailored to your unique goals. Once the plan is ready, you’re connected with local business accelerators and experts who provide personalized guidance.

Transforming Ideas into Actionable Plans 

A business idea is only as good as the plan behind it. With FINSYNC’s Starter Tools, you will start by creating a Business Plan or CO.STARTERS Canvas customized to fit your unique vision. 

Who are your customers? What problem are you solving? What resources will you need? 

With the help of AI, Fynn breaks down complex questions into manageable tasks, helping you identify your customers, define your solutions, and outline the resources needed. This intuitive approach ensures your plan is actionable and sets you up for success.

The Role of Local Support and Community

Beyond planning, community support is crucial for entrepreneurs. FINSYNC and CO.STARTERS take this to heart by connecting entrepreneurs with local accelerators and community resources. Through these programs, entrepreneurs receive expert guidance and gain access to essential resources. The CO.STARTERS program empowers entrepreneurs with mentorship, networking, and collaboration opportunities, transforming ideas into thriving businesses.

Success Stories Speak for Themselves

Many successful entrepreneurs have cited Fynn as a big part of how they hit the ground running. Kimberly Sales, owner of The Pound, shared her Fynn experience: “I was amazed at all the information that populated it for me. I noticed that the more information and details I gave, the better the results were. I couldn’t believe it; it was awesome!”

Kimberly turned her family’s cherished lemon pound cake recipe into a thriving business with the help of Fynn, which provided her with solutions and insights she hadn’t considered: “The AI Canvas gave me the story and put everything together, so I didn’t need to figure this out on my own. It helped me breathe.” Fynn helped her think bigger, opening her eyes to new marketing opportunities like farmers markets and corporate events: “It takes you out of your own box. For the first time, I realized—this could be bigger than I thought it could be.”

Empowering Entrepreneurs to Succeed

Wherever you are on your entrepreneurial journey, FINSYNC is here to support you. With Starter Tools, local services, and an all-in-one platform, the focus is on empowering you to succeed while reclaiming valuable time for the moments that matter most.

Start your journey with FINSYNC and Fynn today—because every successful business begins with the right tools and community behind it.

FINSYNC: Empowering Entrepreneurs, Strengthening Communities

FINSYNC is revolutionizing how entrepreneurs, from high-growth startups to main-street businesses, start, grow, and succeed. FINSYNC is the one platform that connects the dots in the fragmented entrepreneurial ecosystem, supported 24/7 by Fynn, your AI Assistant. Fynn empowers entrepreneurs to transform ideas into actionable plans like a CO.STARTERS Canvas or Business Plan, matches entrepreneurs with local programs and experts, and gains real-time guidance every step of the way. FINSYNC’s integrated Business Platform streamlines operations, including cash flow management, payroll, and accounting, while seamlessly connecting entrepreneurs to local support organizations, investors, financial institutions, and professionals. Together, FINSYNC and Fynn foster a connected ecosystem where businesses grow faster and entrepreneurs gain more time to focus on what matters most, and communities prosper—driving economic growth for all.

Turning an idea into a thriving business is no small feat for many entrepreneurs. It’s a journey that involves countless steps, from refining a business model to managing finances efficiently and knowing when to make strategic upgrades to your already established company. Recognizing these challenges, FINSYNC has recently streamlined its approach to supporting entrepreneurs more effectively at every stage of their journey.

Entrepreneurs with a Business Idea 

Starting a business often begins with a dream or a vision, but turning that vision into a sustainable venture requires clear direction and the proper support. That’s where FINSYNC steps in—providing a guided pathway for businesses to grow and succeed.

Entrepreneurs can bring their ideas to life with FINSYNC’s AI-powered tools and the CO.STARTERS program, where community leaders provide expert guidance and resources to help you get started and succeed.

1. Start with your business plan: Use our AI Assistant, The CO.STARTERS Canvas, to transform your idea into a clear, actionable business plan customized to your vision and goals. By answering a series of questions, entrepreneurs can create a clear and concise plan that outlines their vision, goals, and strategies.

Start Your Business Plan with AI-Powered Tools

2. Once your CO.STARTERS Canvas business plan is complete: Connect with a local accelerator and get matched with an expert who will help you refine your strategy and grow your business.

Get Matched with an Expert

Entrepreneurs Looking to Grow

If you already have an established business, you will want to leverage software solutions and local financial services to simplify your operation with FINSYC’s all-in-one business platform. Software that syncs with your bank will ultimately help you build a thriving business in less time.

• Streamline Cash Flow Management, Accounting, and Payroll: Manage cash flow, automate accounting, and process payroll effortlessly—all from one platform integrated with your local bank or credit union.

• Gain Insights and Optimize Your Business: Access detailed reports and insights to help you make informed financial decisions and improve your business operations. 

Get Started Today

Why FINSYNC: More Time For The Moments That Matter

With seamless connections to local financial institutions and AI-powered insights, FINSYNC not only helps you achieve business success but also gives you back valuable time. Time that entrepreneurs can reinvest in their businesses or spend on the personal moments that matter most.

Tailored to Your Stage: Whether you’re just starting or looking to optimize your growing business, FINSYNC’s platform adapts to your needs with personalized tools and expert support.

Affordable Pricing, Amazing Difference: Transform traditional business banking into an all-in-one platform with the software and local services essential for success.

Community and Support: Join a community of entrepreneurs and local professionals committed to helping you succeed at every stage of your journey.